Olympic Team Announcements Angles

[Feddz]

I don't have any. Haha. Anyone have any opinions? Expect big games out of players that got snubbed and might take it out on the ice? Sharks? Marleau and Vlasic named to Canada, but no Thornton, Couture or Boyle? Teams like St Lou that had 10 guys named to various national teams?

Just interested in any opinions any of you might have, about teams with more/less motivation tonight after all the Olympic Teams announced.

 

[goin4broke]

i think the players may have some added motivation but and this is just a question dont you think some players that didnt get selected will enjoy the brake take thornton for example hes getting up there in age dont you think the season being the grind that it is that he may actually welcome the break?

 

[goin4broke]

how does team canada not win gold by the way talk about stacked

 

[Bruins4Life]

I think our goaltending is very average.

 

[goin4broke]

I think our goaltending is very average.

eh yea i could see that but luongo played great last olympics and carey price is playing very well now mike smith is a toss up so i can see some ? about goaltending would you rather fleury be in instead of smith ?

 

[Bruins4Life]

No thanks re Fleury. He couldn't keep his job for the playoffs last year. I just think in general, goaltending is our weakest position.

 

[goin4broke]

ya im a fleury hater lol

 

[goin4broke]

its also amazing watching nhl network all the talk is about the guys that didnt make it what a tough decision it had to be to pick the team personally i dont think nash should of made it and how is phaneuf not on the team ?

 

[Feddz]

I wasn't a big fan of Nash's selection either - plenty of better, faster, younger options of guys who are actually playing well this year. Phaneuf doesn't deserve to be. I'm a Leaf fan and not a hater - I actually like him, but he's not at the level of the guys going or the reserves being discussed. Especially on the big ice where skating will be at a premium. And how do you not take Harding instead of Smith? Or I could list a few goalies I would take before Smith. Guy had one good year...

 

[Feddz]

I totally agree that the Canadian roster is stacked, but it was stacked in 98 and 06 as well, and they were 4th and 7th in those Olympics, respectively. But of course they won in 02 and 10. So what was the difference between the squads that won and those that shit the bed? Probably nothing. All had size, strength, speed, skill, etc in abundance. Well, in 98 the Olympics were in Nagano, on international ice. Same goes for 2006 in Torino. 2002? Salt Lake - NHL ice rinks. 2010 Vancouver? Obviously NHL size again. This is not irrelevant, and may in fact be the most relevant fact to consider for this year in Sochi - especially if you're the betting type. Canada are 2-1 favourites at most bookies (Pinny has them at +187 to win it all and -222 to not win gold), and I think that's nuts. I'll be cheering like mad for them, but everyone anticipating a coronation seems to have forgotten the lessons in 98 and 06. The big ice is just a totally different game. With a completely different approach and style of game to go with it. Ever wonder why you get random dudes who can barely crack an NHL lineup but somehow are top-10 scorers in the KHL or Elitserian? Hello Brandon Bochenski...
I mean, Ilya Kovalchuk is 9th in points this year, behind superstars like Bochenski, Nigel Dawes and Kyle Wilson. HAHA. So the point is, just because a guy plays on his NHL team's first line or top D-pairing, that doesn't mean he'd be a huge asset to a Euro team or the CDN or USA team on the big ice. There are plenty of examples of quality NHLers stinking up the joint in Sweden or Russia. The NHL is clearly the top hockey league in the world - don't get me wrong, but it's a huge mistake to laugh at an inclusion like Nik Kulemin on the Russian team, and assume that means they'll suck if he's making their team, because he's a 3rd liner on a shitty Leafs team. He's like the Russian Kunitz - was a monster presence on the Magnitogorsk top line during the lockout with Malkin and Mozyakin.
Some guys just have a game better suited to the wider ice, and while of course some Europeans don't, they all grow up on it, so know it intimately even if they've been in the NHL for a while.

tl;dr: Point of this long rant - don't expect Canada to dominate, cause I won't. I'm betting on the Russians to take gold, and probably the Swedes to play them for it. I sure as hell hope I'm wrong though!!

 

[goin4broke]

good points feddz kinda slipped my mind they will be playing on the wider ice just asked about phaneuf cause ive always liked him hes a gritty tough player but your right speed isnt really his game im hoping for us can final again granted the entire tournament was great to watch but the gold medal game was classic

 

[Bruins4Life]

Big ice is why we see Marleau, and not a guy like Lucic. I think Yzerman built this team for it's speed, and the D for their ability to skate and move the puck. I have no idea if Canada will win it, but you don't really need "grit" on international ice. You need "compete" levels...and speed.

 

[Ricboff]

I have tremendous respect for Steve Yzerman . Brilliant gifted hockey player , soft spoken , humble . He had some sick sick calls to make . Those he snubbed he will see at the rinks , not easy
A) goaltending - here's the team 's weakness . Neither Price or Luongo inspires confidence /reliability a la a youthful Roy/Brodeur . And in a short , one game playoff elimination setup this can
end you ---EVEN if you had Lemieux/Gretzky
out there , NEED the goaltending . I hope they live and die with Price . I have NO confidence in Luongo - zilch .
B)Defense - crazy solid , Stevie's decisions here were straight forward . No way Phaneuf cracks this lineup - had no fear of that . Seabrook to replace Hamhuis who may be out with injury . Solid at the back .
C ) Forwards - the centres etched in stone. Easy calls . Others would need to move to a wing (ex , taveres) . Crosby , Toews, Getzelf , Bergeron . Insane strength up the middle. Now the tough part -many options to fill at wing, including gifted centermen that couldn't crack the top 4 . Stevie turned his back on one of his own at Tampa- St. Louis . Fuckung respect , Steve . That had to be tough . Martin , at 38, is carrying Tampa . Age, size , large surface ? ...,I have an issue with Nash making this team . He has declined for two years now -Don't like this call- Penn replaces him on the line with getlaf and perry . I would have preferred Giroux here . How the Fuxk do you leave him off this team ? I'd take Staal over Nash . Glad Thornton was bypassed -- no way on this larger ice surface . Nice call and thank you, ...sure hope Stamkos is 100%. If not , do the right thing and replace . I don't want him at 95%, no Thks !!


Will be crazy fun to watch !

 

[goin4broke]

side note but nash looked like he had a pretty good game last night against the hawks but my god does he look slow not even close to the same player he used to be after those concussions its a shame

 

[RenoChazz]

Sweden's looking pretty stacked too. USA's got all there young guys coming back in their prime, and if they're smart they'll start Quick in his prime over a twilighting Miller. I got it ranked,
1. Sweden
2. Canada
3. USA
4. Russia

 

[DrunkDriver]

and they pick the hottest babe in the country to carry the flag

 

[DDude]

the canadian team is stacked, but that i can say for everyone else too.
i will personally be keeping an eye on the russians because they can skate with anyone else and have the added incentive of playing at home
us will make a run for it too like they did the last olympics but i don't think they'll catch anyone off guard this time
can't wait really